Chapter 85

She paused and looked up at his face. “Your scars are not something to be ashamed of, my king. They are battle scars. They are not repulsive; instead, they show just how brave you were. They show the lion in you more than the crown on your head ever will,” she whispered to him as she resumed bathing his body.

After his chest, she started towards his abdomen when he startled her.

“No, let him go! Declan did nothing to you! Let him go. P-please! Just…stop!” He jerked; his voice filled with so much pain it had Danika frozen for a second.

Something twisted in her chest at the look of sheer terror on his face, his eyes squeezed tightly shut. His hands balled into fists.

She dropped the rag and wrapped her arms around his body. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! These w-words will never be enough; it will erase nothing, but I’m so sorry!” she sobbed. She whispered the words to him, rubbing her hand up and down his chest. Her own chest tightened in pain. He started calming s